A recent interview featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo has captured online attention, albeit for some unexpected reasons.
Grande and Erivo have been prominent in the media leading up to the premiere of Wicked, which debuts in theaters today, November 22.
Grande, known for hits like ‘One Last Time,’ takes on the role of Glinda, while Erivo portrays Elphaba in the film.
During their numerous interviews, Grande became emotional discussing her decision to change her name.
Fans have always known her as Ariana Grande, but the film credits display her name as Ariana Grande-Butera, incorporating her father’s last name.
When questioned about her father’s reaction to this change, Grande mentioned that he was moved to tears.
“And, you know, that was my name when I first saw Wicked and I do feel, not to sound like a broken record, but I do feel like this role and this project helped me sort of come home to little Ari,” she said, visibly emotional.
“Maybe little pieces of her got lost along the way.”
Grande and Erivo appear to share a close bond, often seen together in interviews or holding hands on the red carpet.
This connection was also evident in their conversation with Out.
In a different part of the interview, a peculiar line of questioning directed at Erivo caught viewers’ attention.
The interviewer noted to the Harriet actress: “I’ve seen this week that people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that and feeling power in that.”
They continued: “Would you touch on that moment in the film Elphaba has been banished and yet she comes into her full power at that moment of the worst time?”
Seemingly caught off guard, Erivo responded: “I didn’t know that that was happening… that’s really powerful. That’s what I wanted.”
Looking at Grande, who reassuringly squeezed her hand, Erivo added: “I think it’s really important in that moment to not allow the things that have hurt her, that have stripped her of her humanity, to keep her down.”
The exchange left some viewers puzzled.
“What does ‘holding space for the lyrics’ even mean?” one person questioned on Twitter.
Another social media user echoed: “Wtf does holding space mean?”
“I don’t think Ariana and Cynthia understand what she is saying either honestly,” speculated another.
Someone else asked: “Wtf is the context what’s happening.”
Meanwhile, another viewer described the clip as the ‘funniest thing [they’ve] seen for a while.’